21-Oct-2022: DefExpo 2022 propels ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence to next level

The 12th and largest-ever defence exhibition - DefExpo 2022 - has marked the emergence of India’s defence industry as a sunrise sector for investment on the global scale in line with the theme of the expo – ‘Path to Pride’. Being held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, the five-day event, which commenced on October 18, 2022, witnessed unparalleled participation of over 1,340 exhibitors, businesses, investors, start-ups, MSMEs, Armed Forces and delegates from several countries, with engagements spread over four venues. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh’s leadership enabled the implementation of vision of the DefExpo on ground with smooth conduct of dozens of engagements over three business and two public days and laid firm platform for the entire national defence ecosystem to collaborate and build a self-reliant India.

The overwhelming response of investors and businesses showed that the objective of a defence sector worth USD 22 billion, with exports of Rs 35,000 crore by 2025, will be achieved. The best minds of defence sector came together at over 20 seminars across three business days to brainstorm over wide ranging topics on Defence Research and Development, new technologies for air warfare, Indigenisation of Defence production, promotion of exports and encouraging investments.

Conclusion of 451 MoUs, Transfer of Technology agreements, product launches and orders to domestic businesses, worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore, reflected India’s progress towards achieving ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in Defence and integration between the Armed Forces requirements, R&D and defence production by public and private players. The prowess of the Indian defence and aerospace manufacturing was evident in the display of aircraft, tanks, arms & ammunition, cutting-edge technologies and weapons systems at the first DefExpo exclusively for domestic companies. The visits of the Prime Minister, the Raksha Mantri and other dignitaries - both local & foreign - to the stalls encouraged the Indian Defence industry.

For the first time, an investor outreach event ‘Invest for Defence’ was organised bringing together businesses and investors. The importance of this historic DefExpo was reinforced when Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi graced the inaugural ceremony on October 19, 2022 and invited the world to be part of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ journey. The Prime Minister made a number of announcements, including the 4th positive indigenisation list; laid the foundation stone of Air Force Station Deesha, just 130 kms from our western border; unveiled the HAL-designed & developed HTT-40 trainer aircraft; launched Mission DefSpace and inaugurated the India and Gujarat Pavilions.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh attended various seminars, in which Armed Forces, government stakeholders and industry representatives from India and abroad got an opportunity to engage with each other to carry forward the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ for a secure and prosperous future.

India’s growing global influence was apparent in the multiple bilateral and multilateral engagements held on the sidelines of DefExpo 2022. The India-Africa Defence Dialogue & the Indian Ocean Region plus Defence Ministers’ Conclave hosted by the Raksha Mantri and his bilateral meetings with friendly nations, other than those of Raksha Rajya Mantri Ajay Bhatt, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, was a reflection of India’s growing stature and the world’s increased confidence in the Indian defence sector.

The people of Gujarat and millions following via digital media were enthralled with live demonstrations on the banks of the Sabarmati River by the Armed Forces, DRDO & DPSUs. Uniformed personnel performed daredevil exercises with helicopters above and boats below, mesmerising the audiences to the edge of their seats. A spectacular drone show, the biggest ever with 1,600 drones, on 19 October lit up the evening skies of Gandhinagar as thousands were left in awe of India’s technological progress powered by local start-ups.

DefExpo 2022 has served as a unique platform to project India’s vision for ‘Aatmanirbharta in Defence’ as an integrated pursuit of economic development and national security. Shri Rajnath Singh’s speech during the Bandhan ceremony clarified that India’s efforts to strengthen the defence sector are not aimed at establishing supremacy, but to protect the nation from future threats and reaffirmed that India is a peace-loving nation which is fully equipped to give a befitting response if provoked. Throughout DefExpo 2022, India has sent a clear message to the world that its defence industry has entered into a golden era and is fully ready to meet the country’s security requirements. India’s invitation to global players to become partners in an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, with the slogan ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ resonated well with friendly foreign countries.

GOLDEN ERA OF INDIAN DEFENCE HERALDED WITH MoUs, AGREEMENTS & PRODUCT LAUNCHES

It was a moment of pride for Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to inaugurate the DefExpo in his home state of Gujarat. The opening ceremony witnessed paradigm changing announcements and project launches, which will lead to holistic development of the entire nation and establishment of a defence manufacturing hub in Gujarat. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Air force station Deesa air base in Banaskantha, near the Indo-Pak border, which promises to strengthen our security architecture and response capabilities in the Western sector. He also launched Mission Defence Space, which will empower our forces and form the basis of India’s space diplomacy.

Next day, 345 MoUs, 42 Major Announcements, 46 Product Launches and 18 Transfer of Technology agreements were concluded as part of the Bandhan ceremony. The host state of Gujarat contributed 28 MoUs and one Product Launch. In a major boost to indigenisation, the Indian Air Force and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) also signed a contract for 70 HTT-40 trainer aircraft worth Rs 6,800 crore, which was unveiled by the Prime Minister on the 2nd day of the expo at the India Pavilion, the marquee pavilion showcasing indigenous defence products. The Raksha Mantri acknowledged that the 12th edition of the event marked a new chapter in the growth of Indian Defence sector, and progress in achieving the twin objectives of self-reliance and increase in defence exports.

INDIA’S GROWING GLOBAL STATURE

On the sidelines of the expo, India’s growing global influence was visible as African nations took part in the India Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD) in Gandhinagar. Raksha Mantri indicated India’s readiness to fulfil security requirements of African nations, and it was welcomed by all those in attendance. The civilisational links between India and Africa are maturing into strong partnerships, with defence cooperation being one of the potential areas of convergent interests. Fifty African countries, including 20 Defence Ministers, seven CDS/Service Chiefs and eight Permanent Secretaries participated in the Dialogue attesting to the high priority accorded to India-Africa engagement in defence and security fields.

The second Indian Ocean Region Plus (IOR+) Defence Ministers’ Conclave also witnessed participation from 41 countries, and India communicated its vision of international relations as a win-win rather than zero sum paradigm. In addition, Raksha Mantri, Raksha Rajya Mantri and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar held bilateral meetings with a host of defence officials of participating nations during the DefExpo22.

PLATFORM FOR ALL STAKEHOLDERS 

‘Invest for Defence’, a marquee event of Ministry of Defence, was held to promote investment in the defence sector in the country both by the Indian industry as well Foreign OEMs. Private sector enterprises such as Airbus, Lockheed Martin, SAAB, Adani Defence & Aerospace, Bharat Forge and L&T shared their ambitious plans at panel discussions held before the event, showing the potential for immense growth in the Indian Defence industry in the future.

This expansion in the defence sector is not restricted to large businesses as it throws up wide variety of opportunities for start-ups as well as the MSMEs. Rs 300 crore have been approved so far for more than 100 iDEX winners to develop products/technologies in more than 50 technological areas to further support this growth. Over 6,000 applications in the last seven editions of Defence India Start-up Challenge and Open Challenge show that start-ups are contributing extensively to the growth of Indian Defence. The Raksha Mantri Awards for excellence, were presented to 22 enterprises of different sizes and included 13 private players.

States had wide representation at the expo, with 10 state pavilions and stalls set up, including one for Gujarat, and the two Defence Industrial corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The wide variety of the weapons, components, platforms, services indicates the depth of the capabilities of domestic defence manufacturing sector and its future potential.

SEMINARS

Seminars formed a cornerstone of the DefExpo 2022 platform for all stakeholders to connect and engage with each other. Representatives from governments, armed forces, R&D institutions, industry and investor communities came together to identify opportunities for business growth, emerging challenges and areas of convergent interest.

India reached out to the global community through these seminars, held in hybrid mode. At the US-India Business Council (UIBC) and Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) seminar on ‘New Frontiers in US-India Defence Cooperation: Next Generation Technology, Innovation & Make in India’, US companies were invited to set up manufacturing units in India and develop technology collaborations with Indian industry. The “Aatmanirbharta in Defence R&D - Synergistic Approach” organised by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) indicated the growing integration of research and development with industry and armed forces requirements. In another path breaking initiative, FICCI and Headquarters-Integrated Defence Staff (HQ-IDS) jointly held a seminar on “Aatmanirbhar Bharat & Make in India: Roadmap for the Armed Forces”. This represented a unique instance where Armed Forces and private industry came together to balance the demand and supply side aspects of Indian Defence manufacturing.

SHOWCASING INDIAN DEFENCE SECTOR TO THE PEOPLE

DefExpo 2022 was not restricted to business participation. The live demonstrations held at Sabarmati Riverfront entertained people of all ages, including those connected through virtual platforms. Breathtaking combat free falls by Armed Forces, daring displays by the elite Marine Commandos (Marcos) and Para Commandos and various combat manoeuvres on sky, land and water left indelible impressions on the spectators.

Patriotic and martial tunes bid farewell to setting sun each evening in a joint band display by the three Services. The seeds of various defence initiatives sown at the DefExpo 2022 promise to bear everlasting fruits in future contributing to India’s quest for self-reliance and propel the Nation into a top defence exporter where everyone has a role to play.

21-Oct-2022: 16 Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology for 10 indigenous technologies handed over to 13 industries by DRDO during ‘Bandhan’ ceremony of DefExpo 2022

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) handed over 16 Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LAToT) for 10 DRDO-developed technologies to 13 industries during the ‘Bandhan’ ceremony of the 12th DefExpo in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on October 20, 2022. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh presided over the ceremony, which saw a total of 451 Memoranda of Understanding, Transfer of Technology agreements and Product Launches. Of the 451, there were 345 MoUs, 42 Major Announcements, 46 Product Launches and 18 ToTs. The contribution of Gujarat was 28 MoUs and one Product Launch. It envisages investment worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore. Indian Air Force and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited concluded a contract for 70 HTT-40 indigenous trainer aircraft worth Rs 6,800 crore.

The technologies transferred by DRDO are from the area of electronics, laser technology, armaments, material science, combat vehicles, naval systems and sensors etc. The products include Handheld Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Unexploded Ordnance Handling Robot (UXOR), Semi-Solid Metal (SSM) Processing Technology for Aluminum Alloys, High Oxidative and Thermal Stability Oil (DMS Hots Oil-I), Nuclear Shielding Pads for Combat Vehicles, 120mm Tandem Warhead System for Anti-Tank Application, High Energy Material (TNSTAD), Laser-Based End Game Fuze, Multi-kW Laser Beam Directing Optical Channel (BDOC), SHAKTI EW System. These high-technology products will provide impetus to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ drive of the Government and boost the defence manufacturing sector through self-reliance, besides enhancing the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces.

Gujarat Governor Shri Acharya Devvrat, Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar and OSD, Department of Defence Shri Giridhar Aramane were among those who attended the ceremony.

20-Oct-2022: Biggest-ever defence exhibition – DefExpo – 2022 witnesses 451 MoUs, ToT agreements & product launches during Bandhan ceremony

Four hundred and fifty-one (451) Memoranda of Understanding, Transfer of Technology agreements and product launches took place during the Bandhan ceremony of 12th DefExpo in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on October 20, 2022. Of the 451, there were 345 MoUs, 42 Major Announcements, 46 Product Launches and 18 ToTs. The contribution of Gujarat was 28 MoUs and one Product Launch. It envisages investment worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore. Indian Air Force and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited concluded a contract for 70 HTT-40 indigenous trainer aircraft worth Rs 6,800 crore.

In his address at the ceremony, which culminated with three business days of DefExpo, the Raksha Mantri asserted that the 12th edition of the event has written a new chapter on the growth & prowess of the Indian defence sector. He termed it as the beginning of a new era of self-reliance, in which a strong and prosperous ‘New India’ is fully ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with major world powers. The grand success of the event is proof that India is well on course to become a global defence manufacturing hub in the times to come.

Shri Rajnath Singh pointed out that India’s stature has grown on the world stage in the last few years due to the visionary leadership and policies of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, exuding confidence that the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar’ in defence and increased exports will soon become a reality.

The Raksha Mantri thanked the Defence Ministers & senior officials from many countries as well as a large number of business leaders from across the global making for making the 12th DefExpo a grand and successful event. He said that all the delegates were witness to the zeal and enthusiasm of a ‘New India’ which is fast emerging as a hub of manufacturing in the defence and aerospace sector. The successful conduct of DefExpo 2022, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, reflects the vibrant energy and indomitable spirit of a ‘New India’.

Shri Rajnath Singh emphasised that DefExpo 2022 served as a platform to enhance India’s defence cooperation with different countries and discuss issues of mutual interest. He shed light on his fruitful discussions with Defence Ministers of various countries, who actively participated in DefExpo, as also the successful conduct of Indian Ocean Region plus (IOR+) conclave. He termed IOR as an area of ​​strategic importance for India and reiterated the Prime Minister’s vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) to maintain peace, security and prosperity in IOR.

The Raksha Mantri asserted that the resounding success of DefExpo 2022 is evident from the participation of high-level delegations from many countries and a large number of exhibitors, besides companies and nation which joined virtually. Shri Rajnath Singh termed the large number of MoUs, Product Launches, Major Announcements, Transfer of Technology Agreements of DRDO with business entities as a testimony to the emerging robust defence ecosystem in the country and be a big step towards strengthening the defence industrial base and achieving the goal of ‘Make in India, Made for World’.

Shri Rajnath Singh said, India is progressing rapidly on path to complete self-reliance, with many sectors becoming ‘Aatmanirbhar’ and global suppliers. He added that the government is committed towards the growth of the public and private sector to fulfil the twin objectives of promoting self-reliance and increased defence exports. He expressed confidence that the country will achieve the defence export target of Rs 35,000 crore by 2025. He hoped that the enthusiasm of DefExpo 2022 will be carried forward in new areas through more collaborations, which will help in advancing India as a leading defence manufacturer and exporter and realising the Government’s vision of 2047.

The Raksha Mantri reiterated that the Government’s efforts to strengthen the defence sector are not aimed at establishing the country’s supremacy. “India has always considered the whole world as its family and has moved ahead with the spirit of welfare and world peace for all. We believe in safeguarding the individual as well the collective interests of the world together. Our self-reliance efforts are to ensure that the nation and its people remain protected from future threats,” he said.

Gujarat Governor Shri Acharya Devvrat, Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar and Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar and OSD, Department of Defence Shri Giridhar Aramane were among those who attended the ceremony.

19-Oct-2022: PM inaugurates DefExpo22 at Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the DefExpo22 at Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, today. At the India Pavilion, the Prime Minister unveiled HTT-40 - the indigenous trainer aircraft designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. During the programme, the Prime Minister also launched Mission DefSpace and laid the foundation stone of Deesa airfield in Gujarat.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister welcomed the delegates to an event of the capable and AatmaNirbhar Bharat both as a Prime Minister and as a son of Gujarat.

Remarking on the organisation of the DefExpo2 2022, the Prime Minister said that it paints a picture of New India and its capabilities whose resolve is being forged at the time of Amrit Kaal. He further added that it is an amalgamation of the country’s development as well as states’ cooperation. “It has the power and dreams of the youth, it has the resolve and capabilities of the youth. It has hopes for the world and opportunities for friendly nations.” the Prime Minister said.

Underlining the uniqueness of this edition of DefExpo, the Prime Minister said “this is the first defence expo where only Indian companies are participating and it features only Made in India equipment.” He announced “From the land of Iron Man, Sardar Patel we are setting an example of the capabilities of India before the world. The Expo has more than 1300 exhibitors which include the India Defence Industry, some joint ventures associated with Indian Defence Industry, MSMEs and more than 100 startups. The Prime Minister remarked that it provides a glimpse of the capability and possibility of India in one single frame.  He further informed that more than 400 MoUs are being signed for the first time ever.

Noting the positive response from various countries, the Prime Minister expressed happiness that when India is giving shape to its dreams, 53 friendly countries from Africa are walking with us. The second India-Africa Defence Dialogue will also take place on this occasion, the Prime Minister informed. “This relationship between India and Africa is based on time-tested trust that is further deepening and touching new dimensions with the passing of time”, the Prime Minister added. Dwelling upon the old ties between Africa and Gujarat, the Prime Minister recalled that the first railway lines in Africa had the participation of people from Kutch. Many words used in daily life in Africa have their origin in the Gujarati community in Africa. “Even for a global leader like Mahatma Gandhi, if Gujarat was his birthplace, then Africa was his first ‘Karmbhoomi’. This affinity for Africa is still central to India's foreign policy. During the Corona period, when the whole world was worried about the vaccine, India delivered the vaccine giving priority to our friendly countries in Africa”, he said.

The 2nd Indian Ocean Region+ (IOR+) Conclave will also be held during the Expo, which will provide a stage for a comprehensive dialogue to promote defence cooperation amongst IOR+ nations to foster peace, growth, stability and prosperity, in line with the Prime Minister's vision for Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).  The Prime Minister said, “Today, from international security to global trade, maritime security has emerged as a global priority. The role of the merchant navy has also expanded in the era of globalisation.” He continued, “The world's expectations from India have increased, and I assure the world community that India will fulfil them. Therefore, this Defense Expo is also a symbol of global trust towards India”

The Prime Minister acknowledged Gujarat’s identity with regard to development and industrial capabilities. “This Defence Expo is giving a new height to this identity”, he said. He further added that Gujarat will emerge as a major centre of the defence industry in the coming days.

The Prime Minister who also laid the foundation stone of the Deesa airfield in Gujarat said that the forward air force base will add to the security architecture of the country. Noting Deesa’s proximity with the border, the Prime Minister said that now India is better prepared to respond to any misadventure on the western borders. “After coming to the government, we decided to set up an operational base in Deesa, and this expectation of our forces is being fulfilled today. This region will now become an effective centre of security of the country”, Shri Modi added.

“Space technology is an example of what security will mean for any strong nation in the future. Various challenges in this area have been reviewed and identified by the three services. We have to work fast to solve them.” “Mission Defence Space”, he continued, “will not only encourage innovation and strengthen our forces but also provide new and innovative solutions.” The Prime Minister highlighted that space technology is shaping new definitions of India's generous space diplomacy, giving rise to new possibilities. “Many African countries and many other small countries are benefiting from this”, he added. The Prime Minister informed that there are more than 60 developing countries with whom India is sharing its space science. “The South Asia satellite is an effective example of this. By next year, ten ASEAN countries will also get real-time access to India's satellite data. Even developed countries like Europe and America are using our satellite data”, he added.

In the defence sector, the Prime Minister said, new India is moving ahead with the mantra of Intent, Innovation and Implementation. Till 8 years ago, India was recognized as the world's largest defence importer. But New India showed intent, showed willpower and 'Make in India’ is becoming a success story in the defence sector today. “Our defence exports have grown 8 times in the last 5 years. We are exporting defence materials and equipment to more than 75 countries of the world. In 2021-22 Defence exports from India reached $1.59 billion i.e. about 13 thousand crore rupees. And in the coming time, we have set a target to reach 5 billion dollars i.e. 40 thousand crore rupees’” he added.

The world is relying on India's technology today because India's armies have proved their capabilities. The Indian Navy has inducted state-of-the-art aircraft carriers like the INS-Vikrant into its fleet. This engineering giant and colossal masterpiece has been made by Cochin Shipyard Limited with indigenous technology. ‘The induction of the Prachand Light Combat Helicopters developed under the ‘Make in India’ initiative by Indian Air Force is a clear example of India’s defence capability, he said.

Throwing light on making India's defence sector self-reliant, the Prime Minister highlighted that the armies have also finalised two lists of equipment which would be procured only within the country. This list of 101 such items is being released today. These decisions also show the potential of a self-reliant India. After the list, there will be 411 such equipment and equipment of the defence sector, which will only be bought under the “Make in India’. The Prime Minister informed that such a huge budget will strengthen the foundation of Indian companies and take them to new heights. He further added that it will be the youth of the nation that will benefit the most from it.

The Prime Minister highlighted that reliable options are now mushrooming to replace the monopoly that few companies have created in the field of defence supply. “The youth of India has shown the power to break this monopoly in the defence industry and this effort of our youth is for the global good.”, Shri Modi said. He underlined that the small countries of the world who are left behind in their security due to lack of resources will now reap great benefits from this.

The Prime Minister underlined, “India sees the defence sector as an infinite sky of opportunities, as positive possibilities.” Speaking on investment opportunities in the defence sector, the Prime Minister informed that India is building two defence corridors in UP and Tamil Nadu and many big companies of the world are coming to invest in India. He also highlighted the might of the MSMEs in the sector and informed that these big companies will be supported by our MSMEs while creating a large network of supply chains behind this investment. “Investments of such scale in this sector will generate huge employment opportunities for the youth in those areas which were not even thought of earlier”, the Prime Minister added.

The Prime Minister called upon all the companies present at the Defense Expo and urged them to give shape to these opportunities keeping the India of the future at the centre. “You innovate, take a pledge to be the best in the world, and give shape to the dream of a strong developed India. You will always find me there supporting you”, he concluded.

Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel, Governor of Gujarat, Shri Acharya Devvrat, Union Minister of Defence, Shri Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral R Hari Kumar, and Defence Secretary to Government of India, Dr Ajay Kumar were those present on occasion among others.

Background

The Prime Minister inaugurated the DefExpo22. The Expo, being held under the theme 'Path to Pride', is witnessing the largest-ever participation in Indian Defence Expo held to date. For the first time, it will witness a defence exhibition held exclusively for Indian companies including Indian subsidiaries of Foreign OEMs, Division of company registered in India, Exhibitor having Joint Venture with an Indian company. The event will showcase the expansive scope and scale of Indian defence manufacturing prowess. The expo will have an India Pavilion and ten state pavilions. At the India Pavilion, the Prime Minister unveiled HTT-40 - the indigenous trainer aircraft designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The aircraft has state of art contemporary systems and has been designed with pilot-friendly features.

During the programme, the Prime Minister also launched Mission DefSpace - to develop innovative solutions for the Defence Forces in the Space domain through industry & startups. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the Deesa airfield in Gujarat. The forward air force base will add to the security architecture of the country.

The expo will witness the 2nd India-Africa Defence Dialogue under the theme 'India-Africa: Adopting strategy for synergizing Defence and Security Cooperation'. The 2nd Indian Ocean Region+ (IOR+) Conclave will also be held during the Expo, which will provide a stage for a comprehensive dialogue to promote defence cooperation amongst IOR+ nations to foster peace, growth, stability and prosperity, in line with the Prime Minister's vision for Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). During the Expo, the first-ever Investors' Meet for defence will take place. It will also witness more than a hundred startups getting an opportunity to showcase their innovations at Manthan 2022, the defence innovation event of iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence). The event would also see the forging of 451 partnerships/launches through the event 'Bandhan'.

7-Feb-2020: DefExpo witnesses signing of Over 200 MoUs, ToTs and product launches

Over 200 partnerships involving Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs), Transfer of Technology (ToTs) , Product launches were concluded on the third day of DefExpo 2020, at ceremony tilted “Bandhan”, making it the most successful such events to be held in India.  The pacts, aimed at forging and renewing partnerships for innovative collaboration, and transformation of the Defence manufacturing in the country were inked by representatives of various DPSUs, Indian private Defence cos and foreign companies in the presence of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow.

Raksha Mantri described the signing of MoUs as a step in the direction to achieve Prime Minister’s $5 billion defence exports target in next 5 years. The Defence PSUs and the Indian defence private industry were better placed today to lead India as the emerging R&D hub of the world leveraging the sharp minds of Indian youth. The liberalised licensing regime brought out by the government would surely attract large investments by both Indian and global companies, he stressed. Shri Rajnath Singh thanked all the stakeholder who signed MoUs and expressed hope that Uttar Pradesh would emerge as a Defence Manufacturing hub.

Among those MoUs signed today, 23 of them were by Uttar Pradesh Government.  Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath said these MoUs envisage Rs 50,000 crores investment in the defence corridor setup in the state and generate 3 lakh job opportunities. He assured that investments coming to the state were secure  and  the state investment policy was the most attractive in the country. He also announced that HAL would soon supply Dornier 19-seater civilian aircraft to U.P.

Dr. Ajay Kumar, Defence Secretary said that this DefExpo would be remembered for many firsts – including for the signing of largest number of MoUs, ToTs and product launches. Bandhan ceremony witnessed more than 13 product launches, 124 MoUs between DPSUs, private and global defence manufacturing companies. 23 MoUs were signed between the UP Government and private companies.

Shri Sateesh Reddy, Secretary, Chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation, said that it was DRDO’s duty to ensure that the Defence corridor in Uttar Pradesh flourishes, hence DRDO signed a Technological partnership agreement with the state government, imparting skill training, hand holding and providing guidance in all aspects related to technology. A collaboration cell was already setup in the state to facilitate the process. He also mentioned that a Research and Development centre would be setup in the state that would act as a catalyst with respect to defence development. Technology transfer was made available at no cost to companies in order to further the defence ecosystem in the country. Further, the patents held by DRDO were given free to Indian companies to further develop technologies that would benefit Indian companies.

During the course of the ceremony, a major announcement in the form of issuing the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) certificate of Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) was issued to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). LUH is designed and developed as a replacement for Cheetah & Chetak helicopters which are currently being operated by Indian Armed forces.

LUH is a new generation helicopter in the 3-Ton class incorporating the state-of-the-art technology features which will meet the emerging needs in this class of helicopters in the coming decades.

OFB launched “Sharang” the 155mm artillery gun with 36 km range and handed over a model to Chief of Army Staff Gen M M Naravane. OFB also launched JVPC Alpha gun with 100 mt range,  Light Machine Gun of 800 mt range and UBGL – Under barrel Grenade launcher.

BDL launched Amogha-3 the anti-Tank Guided Missile. It is a man portable fire and forget missile.

BDL also launched Varunastra – the anti-submarine torpedo, manufactured under the technological guidance of DRDO.

5-Feb-2020: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh begins first day of DefExpo 2020 by holding meetings with his counterparts from UAE, UK, Maldives, Kyrgyzstan and Oman

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, began the first day of DefExpo 2020 by holding successive meetings with Defence Ministers of five Countries – UAE, UK, Maldives, Kyrgyzstan and Oman.

The DefExpo, largest of its kind, is being held for the first time in Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh.

In the bilateral meeting with His Excellency Mohammed Al Bowardi, MoS for Defence Affairs of the UAE, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh exchanged views on further strengthening the cooperation in Defence Affairs. They expressed satisfaction at various dimensions of the ongoing Defence cooperation between the two countries. Welcoming the UAE Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh invited him to explore varied cultural and touristic potential of Uttar Pradesh. The warmth and bonhomie shared between the top leadership of both the countries over the years has resulted in transforming bilateral cooperation to a strategic partnership.

In the delegation level bilateral meeting with UK Minister for Defence procurement Mr. James Heappey, Raksha Mantri underlined the growing ties between the two countries. The discussions while touching on various aspects related to defence cooperation, also focussed on opportunities to further enhance defence engagements between the two countries. They have agreed to meet again tomorrow to continue the parleys.

In the third meeting of the morning, Raksha Mantri held bilateral level talks with Her Excellency Uza Mariya Ahmed Didi, Defence Minister for Maldives. The Maldivian minister expressed her country’s gratitude for India’s assistance over the years and recently in bringing back Maldivian students from the Corona virus affected Wuhan region, China.

She underlined the opportunities that exist to further enhance defence cooperation especially in the Maritime domain, to which Raksha Mantri responded positively. Both the Ministers noted that Cooperation in the field of defence industry also forms an important part of strategic partnership between both the countries.

Major General Raiimberdi Duishenbiev, Chief of General Staff of Kyrgyz Armed Forces and Defence Minister of Kyrgyzstan met Raksha Mantri and discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to defence cooperation between the two countries. In a significant decision, Both leaders agreed that the Joint Exercise involving the Special Forces of India and Kyrgyzstan named Khanjar VII shall be held soon in India. It was also decided that the first Joint Working group between the two countries on Defence Cooperation would be held within the next two to three months.

Holding the last and fifth meeting of the morning with HE Badr Saud Harib Al Busaidi, Minister for Defence Affairs, Sultanate of Oman, Raksha Mantri stressed that Defence cooperation was the key pillar of bilateral relations between the two countries. Both Ministers discussed measures to further strengthen defence partnership, by enhancing joint maritime security exercises. Raksha Mantri expressed willingness of India’s defence industry especially Defence PSUs to work more closely with Oman.

The common theme among views expressed by the visiting dignitaries was to express gratitude for the invitation to visit DefExpo 2020 and conveyed their best wishes for the success of the event, which had proved to be an effective platform for sharing, collaborating and cooperating on various defence technologies. There was also unanimity on further exploring and strengthening bilateral relations with India, in particular in defence domain to expedite Joint projects. Raksha Mantri wished all the visiting delegates to have a pleasant stay here and invited them to visit the various tourist destinations in Uttar Pradesh.

4-Feb-2020: Curtain Raiser - DefExpo 2020

DefExpo-2020, a flagship biennial event of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, one of the largest events of its kind is being held for the first time in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh from 5th to 9th Feb 2020. The 11th edition of Def Expo promises to bring new technologies, technological solutions, where Defence manufacturing companies from India and abroad showcase their products and services in Defence arena, on a single platform. The tremendous response shown by Defence manufacturing companies and the partner countries, will surely hold Defence Expo 2020 on a higher pedestal in terms of the offerings for Defence related industries.

DefExpo Event and Theme: The main theme of the DefExpo India- 2020 is ‘India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub’ and the focus will be on ‘Digital Transformation of Defence’.

Reflecting the Government’s focus on ‘Make in India’, Def Expo 2020, would offer an excellent opportunity for the Indian Defence industry to showcase its capabilities and promote its export potential. Defence Expo 2020 would prove to be an effective platform to showcase the unique products that help achieving the Digital Transformation of Defence, where India’s Defence public sector units, and also India’s growing private industry and MSME will be bringing their cutting-edge technological products to be showcased to the World.

Participation:  The number of companies registered for participating in the DefExpo 2020 has reached 1,028. In the DefExpo 2018, held in Chennai, 702 companies had participated. Thus, it has become by far the biggest ever DefExpo to be held in India. The number of participating foreign companies has also increased to 172 from the previous figure of 160.

The booked exhibition space by exhibitors for DefExpo 2020 has gone up by 96 per cent to over 43,021 square metres, compared to around 27,000 during the last edition. Defence Ministers and Service Chiefs of 38 countries have confirmed their participation for the DefExpo 2020. A substantial number of Memoranda of Undertaking (MoUs) are expected to be inked during the Expo, resulting in forging of new business collaborations.

Program Details:

Feb 5th 2020: Formal Inauguration of the event by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will be held, followed by live demonstration of Naval Systems, Aero Systems and Land Systems. Live Demonstration will be done for systems which are designed/built in India.

There will be three parallel business seminars on the opening day. These are being organized by industry associations and business chambers. The themes of the seminars will be, “Skill Development in Aviation & Defence”, “India – France Defence Industry Seminar” and “Indo- Israel -Opportunities in Defence Cooperation- Future Vectors of the Digital Battlefield”.

Raksha Mantri would also be hosting a reception for the guests on the evening of February 5. There will be Night illumination of anchored Navy vessels which will be a visual delight from the Gomati riverfront.

Feb 6th 2020: The fifth India Russia Military Industry Conference will be held on the sidelines of DefExpo 2020 at the venue. Over 100 Russian and over 200 Indian industry leaders are expected to participate.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will preside African Defence Ministers’ Conclave. He will also host a dinner in the honour of African Defence Ministers.

Six seminars will be held on the second day, namely, “US Defence Industry and ‘Make in India’, “Indian Shipyards Going Global : Shipbuilding & MRO”, “Future of Aircraft Carriers, Emerging Global Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing Destination”, “Northern Defence Corridor: Global Investment Opportunity of Gold Standard, Harnessing Strengths of R&D Establishments, Academia and MSMEs for Triggering Defence Manufacturing and Exports” and “Game Changers in Aerospace & Defence and preparing from the next gen threat”.

There will be live demonstration of large platforms and also flying display at the Gomti riverfront and the DefExpo venue.

Feb 7th 2020: Bandhan, a ceremony for signing of MoUs, launch of products and major announcements, will be presided by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh.

There will be six seminars on the third day on “Defence Exports: Moving towards Rs 35,000 Cr”, “India – Korea Defence Industry Seminar”, “The Wired Warrior :Combat in a Digitised World”, “DGQA’s Role in MoD Schemes for Incentivizing Defence Manufacturing”, “Intellectual Property Rights – Concepts and Issues pertaining to Defence Industry”, and “Countering Rogue Drones”.

Feb 8th 2020: The DefExpo would be open for public. There will be live demonstration of large platforms and also flying display for appreciation by general public.

Arrangements for local transport have been made with the help of Government of Uttar Pradesh.

Entry will be free for general public on February 8-9, 2020.

Feb 9th 2020: Live demonstration and display of large platforms for appreciation by general public. Entry will be free for general public on February 9th, 2020DefExpo concludes.

Highlights of the event:

• The show will be marked with numerous attractions such as:
• Live demonstrations of the services, DPSUs and industry showing the land, naval, air and internal security systems in action. Live demonstration will be held at two locations viz. one at the exhibition site and the other at the Gomati river front. There will be no damage to the environment during the Gomati River Front display.
• Business seminars are being organised by both international and Indian Industry chambers viz. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), SYNERGIA, Directorate of Standardisation (DOS)/Department of Defence Production (DDP), US-India Business Council (USIBC), US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), etc. The seminar topics are futuristic and include discussions on artificial intelligence, robotics, Internet of Things (IoTs), drones, wired warrior, etc.
• Ministers from 15 African countries shall participate in the conclave.
• For this exposition, technology has been used as an enabler and for the first time the DefExpo App was released by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on December 27, 2019 which is available on Apple App Store and Android Play Store. The main features of the app are to ‘inform, engage and feedback’. It provides detailed information about the day-to-day events; participating exhibitors; DPSUs, guest speakers of seminars/webinars; publications i.e., electronic brochures and e-books; maps and directions of the venues and city weather.
• The India Pavilion will showcase combined strength of India’s public sector and private sector in defence production.
• DefExpo Inaugural Ceremony would be webcast on social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Periscope, etc. This will be showcased to live audiences in Indian Embassies across the World.
• Arrangements have been made for 5,000 college students from various technical colleges of UP for visiting during business days. This is being done to inculcate interest among them.
• Entry will be free for general public on February 8-9, 2020.
• There will be Instagram photo competition during the business days of the exposition. The best selected photographs by a jury shall fetch the participants cash prizes of Rs one lakh. The second and third prize will be Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively.